22 January, 2015 - Statement by Jan O’Sullivan, TD, Minister for Education and Skills

Meaningful Talks, Not Unnecessary Strike Action, Are The Key To Implementing Junior Cycle Reform

Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, TD, said that today’s strike action called by teacher unions was disproportionate and unnecessary. 

The Minister stated: “There is no reason to close schools today. The strike will only result in students missing a day’s teaching, disruption to parents and the loss of a day’s pay for teachers. The strike is disproportionate and unnecessary.”

“Reform of the Junior Cycle is important and is a policy priority. One education partner cannot be allowed to block this important reform. The voices of parents, students, school management and other partners are equally important in this debate. They support the fair and reasonable proposal I tabled in talks last November. Their mandate and opinion deserves equal recognition in relation to Junior Cycle reform.

“The current dispute with the teacher unions will not be resolved on the picket line. It will be resolved through meaningful negotiation. Yesterday evening Dr. Pauric Travers contacted the teacher unions and myself to propose further talks next week. I welcome this initiative and my Department will engage in these talks in a constructive manner.”

ENDS